Endangered Person Advisory: 4-year-old Benton County boy reported missing

The Benton County Sheriff’s Department issued an Endangered Person Advisory for a 4-year-old that was last seen early Sunday morning.

Officials said Grayson Darnell, of Warsaw, was last seen in the 100 block of West Gold Street around 3 a.m. Sunday.

Officials said the 4-year-old’s non-custodial mother, Julie Darnell, 36, went inside the grandparents’ home, took the boy and left. The grandparents have custody of the boy.

Darnell suffers from bipolar disorder and drug-induced schizophrenia and is believed to be using methamphetamines, officials said.

Darnell’s vehicle is described as a red 2006 Buick Lucerne with Missouri license plates MR7U6E.

The 4-year-old is described as white, about 3 feet, 1 inch tall, weighing 60 pounds, with brown hair and eyes and a surgical scar on his lip. He was last seen wearing a light gray and black Star Wars hooded sweatshirt with blue and green plaid shorts.

Darnell is described as white, about 5 feet, 2 inches tall, weighing 125 pounds with brown hair and hazel eyes.

Officials asked anyone with information about the missing boy or his mother or who has seen the vehicle to call 911 or the Benton County Sheriff’s Department at 660-438-9555.